Picture starting each day feeling like you're living a role that doesn't fit, with no familiar ways to navigate through it. No calming breaths, no escape to the outdoors for a moment of clarity. It's a challenging scenario, isn't it? Yet, this is the everyday experience for many autistic individuals. The conventional medical approach to autism pushes for conformity rather than celebrating uniqueness, emphasizing deficits over strengths.
What is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity isn’t just a trendy term; it represents a shift in how we view neurological differences like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Instead of seeing these differences as problems that need to be fixed, the neurodiversity movement celebrates them as natural variations in the human experience. In this view, autism isn’t a disorder to cure, but a different way of perceiving and interacting with the world.
Recognizing neurodiversity means celebrating individual strengths and accepting that not everyone experiences the world in the same way. Just like biodiversity enriches the natural world, neurodiversity makes our society richer and more varied.
Focusing on Strengths
A strengths-based approach does exactly what it sounds like: it focuses on what a child can do, rather than what they struggle with. If a child is great at visual learning or has a passion for drawing, we use those strengths to guide therapy and create engaging, meaningful experiences.
Instead of expecting every neurodiverse child to learn the same way as their neurotypical peers, we adjust and accommodate based on their individual needs and interests. This not only boosts confidence, but it also makes therapy more effective and enjoyable.
Medical Model vs. Neurodiversity-Affirming Model
The traditional medical model often views autism through the lens of diagnosis and treatment—identifying "problems" and trying to fix them. For example, a medical report might highlight that a child struggles to make eye contact or sit still, framing these behaviors as deficits. This approach can leave children feeling like there’s something wrong with them.
A neurodiversity-affirming model, on the other hand, respects and values individual differences. Instead of trying to make a child conform to certain expectations, we focus on what helps that child thrive. For example, instead of saying “Johnny can’t sit still,” we might note that “Johnny benefits from sitting on a wiggly stool, which helps him focus and participate.”
Compliance-Based vs. Neurodiversity-Affirming Approaches
Traditional compliance-based methods often aim to teach neurodiverse children to act more like their neurotypical peers, sometimes pushing them to conform without considering their comfort or needs. This can lead to frustration, and even a negative self-image.
In contrast, a neurodiversity-affirming approach celebrates each child’s unique abilities and encourages them to embrace who they are. It promotes self-advocacy, self-acceptance, and fosters an environment where differences are respected and valued. Instead of focusing on what the child isn’t doing, we focus on what they are doing and how they can use their strengths to grow.
Moving Forward
When we know better, we do better. By embracing neurodiversity and adopting a strengths-based approach, we are creating an environment where every child feels valued for who they truly are, not who they are expected to be. I’m committed to providing meaningful, personalized support that empowers children and their families.
Let’s continue to learn, grow, and celebrate the unique diversity that makes our world so beautifully varied.
All love,
Hannah
Founder, Sunny Skies Therapy